I think the listening section is by far the most difficult section, but at the same time, probably the most important. One cannot communicate unless they can actually understand what’s said, and unfortunately it’s also the slowest skill to master. That’s because you cannot cram or memorize for it. Even if you learn a lot of vocabulary, you have to consistently expose yourself to spoken language so that the words are understood automatically. You can’t waste time thinking and remembering what a word means. It must be understood to the point that it’s automatic. Then, when you go into the JLPT or any Japanese speaking situation, it’s acatually kind of easy.

With that said, your best bet is to just expose yourself to Japanese media constantly. it should be dynamic, not just one movie or two over and over again. You need fresh content, and you need to listen to it almost daily. Doesn’t have to be for a long duration, but just getting your ear used to it.

Podcasts are one great way of doing this, as are online shows. Both are linked here on the blog at certain points. Just keep doing it, and you’ll be surprised how much easier things become. Speaking from experience, when you take the JLPT listening section sounds slow because you’re used to natural speed (they dumb it down for us foreign students because most are not used to native speed). You’ll be surprised. Try it out for a year and by the next JLPT, your listening skills should be stronger.

Good luck!

Hajime mashite!
Venkatesh desu.Indo-jin desu.
Yoroshiku!

* BOWS __/=== *

I took the level 3 JLPT test on last December 6th and passed! I passed by the skin on my teeth, but I still passed.

My Score Report:

文字・語彙 : 76/100
聴解 : 35/100
読解・文法 : 148/200

Total = 259/400(64.75%)

As you can see my score deatils, my score in Listening section refelects how terrible i’m when it comes to listening, thats always been my weakest area and i’m finding it really hard to improve in this particular section obviously because i’m from india and i don’t get to talk to native speakers much other than my sensei who is a japanese.

I need your valuable suggestion on improving my listening skill.

Thanks in advance!
Yoroshiku!

Ja mata.

Alexandre Welcome to the JLR. Regarding your question, I assume you mean someone whose doing this entirely from scratch. If so, you should definitely go for the JLPT 4 first, which takes about 6 months of consistent study and practice. Then, you should think about the JLPT3, which takes another year. So that would 1.5 years in total.

As for whether a student can pass level 3 in a year, I think it really depends on the student. I skipped 4 altogether, but I started preparing for 3 in January, and have had a whole year. So far things are looking pretty hopeful. That’s why I dumped as much info as I could onto the blog to help empower others to do the same.

The issue isn’t so much time, but investment. If you invest the time, and do it consistently, your language skills will improve. It’s easy to make a great start, but harder to stay with it. But if you want the certification enough, you’ll find you had strength you never thought possible.

Part of it also is creating a no-fail environment, so that rather than relying on willpower, you setup your environment so you don’t have to force yourself. Instead you’re just exposed to it a lot. Exposure is the best way to learn a language, and if you can manipulate your environment, even outside of Japan, to be conducive to learning Japanese, you will learn it without really trying.

The materials for level 4 and 3 aren’t that great in size or content. It’s the absorption and practice of the material that takes a while. I crammed a lot in the first months, and then spent all the time until now just practicing and taking more practice tests (or old tests sold above).

Investment and exposure. That’s the two key elements. If you’re taking the JLPT, I wish you the best of luck!

Does this mean you consider that 3kyuu can be passed after one year of study, or after 1 year plus 6 months for 4kyuu?

In any case, while 3kyuu CAN be passed in a year, I don’t think this reflects the situation of most students, at least that of students outside of Japan.